Electric alarm for letter-holders



(ROMEU A. ALL1s0N,J1-.

Electric Alarm for Letter Holders.

No. 234,218. Patented Nov. 9, 1880.

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N.PETER$, PHDTDMTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREV ALLISON, JR., OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC ALARM FOR LETTER-HOLDERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,218, dated November9, 1880.

Application filed September 13, 1880.

To all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, ANDREW ALLIsoN, Jr.,

:a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county ofPhiladelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Electric Alarms for Holders, Boxes, &c.,for Letters andother Articles, which improvement is fully set forth in the followingspecication and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top viewof the alarm embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionthereof in line .r m. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of another form. Fig.t is a bottom View of the upper portion thereof. Fig. 5 is a side viewof a hook or rack embodying my invention. Fig. Gis a vertical section ofa pigeon-hole or letter-box embodying my invention.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalgures.

My invention consists of a holder, receiver, letter-box, &c., forletters, notes, messages, and other articles, which, when applied to theformer, sounds an electrically-operated alarm, thus directing attentionto the article, (that it requires delivery or other service,) the alarmcontinuing` until the article is removed, the work being accomplished tmopen or closed circuits.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a base-piece adapted to besupported on a table, desk, Src., in a telegraph or other office orplace of business, and B represents a cappiece, which is secured to thetop of the base A and extends parallel therewith, the ends of one orbot-h parts being iiaring to admit of the insertion of letters, notes,messages, and other articles between them.

C represents a longitudinally extending spring or springs secured to theunder side of the cap B, and bearing freely against connecting points orplates D on the base A, to which electric wires E E are attached.

In Fig. 3 a longitudinally-extending spring, C, is secured centrally toa plate, D', on the under side of the cap B, and longitudinally- (Nomodel.)

extending springs G are connected to the ends of said cap, the innerends of the springs C projecting toward the ends of the springs C, so asto be brought thereagainst when raised or pressed.

Connection-plates D are attached to the outer ends on cap B, and incontact with the springs C. To said plates D are connected electricwires E, and to the plate D also is connected an electric wire, E.

It will be noticed that in Fig. 2 I show a closed circuit, and in Figs.3 and 4 an open circuit.

I'Vhen a letter, message, or other article is inserted between the endsof the cap B and base-piece A, Fig. l, the spring U is lifted from theconnection point or plate D, and the circuit is opened, thereby causingthe ringing of a bell or the sounding of other alarm.

When a letter, message, or other article is inserted between the ends ofthe cap B and base-piece A, Fig. 3, the spring G is brought in contactwith the spring C, thus closing the circuit and causing a bell to berung or alarm sounded.

In Fig. 5 I show a hook or rack, and in Fig. 6 a pigeon-hole orletter-box, both with open currents; but they may be constructed withclosed currents, their operations being similar to those described forFigs. 2 and 3, the letter, &c.,if inserted between the hoolr or spring,Fig. 5, or pressed against the spring in the box or pigeon-hole, Fig. 6,causing an alarm, which discontinues when the letter, 83e., is removed.Y

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

The combination ot base-piece A and cappiece B with interposedcircuit-opening or circuitclosin g springs, whereby the thrusting of aletter under one of said springs causes an alarm to sound, substantiallyas set forth.

ANDREW ALLISON, JR.

Witnesses:

WM. LARZELERE, W. F. KIRCHER.

